Tenancy - Check out fee

[ShakespeareInTurmoil]

Hi all, I have a query.

I’m shortly to end an eight year tenancy - I’ve finally bought a house and will be leaving the flat I’ve rented since 2017. I started renting here before the fees ban. One of the many fees my national letting agent charged was a £102.00 check out fee, which was payable in advance.

I cannot find a definitive answer - should this be returned to me as an advance fee related to my check out now, post-fees ban? Some sources say yes, others are unclear. Can anyone point me towards anything helpful?

I was on year long contract I think the first three (?) years which was renewed each time and then went onto periodic.

Any advice would be gratefully received, thank you.

The ban only applies to charges applied on or after 1 June 2020. Landlords and agents do not have to refund fees taken before this. There’s nothing stopping you from trying to negotiate, however, on the basis of having been a good longstanding tenant who will have saved them on other fees and costs in the interim period.

Thank you. I thought I’d read somewhere that as it was for a post-ban service it was refundable but I wasn’t sure. Thank you for the information.